Can One Granule Packing Machine Handle Different Products?
One granule packing machine can sometimes be used for several products, but changing materials is not always as simple as entering a new bag weight on the control screen.
The main question is whether the existing feeding and filling system can handle each product consistently.
What needs to change between products?
Switching between rice and beans may involve adjusting the feeding rate and filling weight. Both are relatively large, free-flowing materials, although their size and density are different.
Switching from beans to fine seeds needs closer attention. Sesame and chia seeds can pass through openings that cause no problems with larger granules. The discharge area should be checked before running the new material.
The filling system also matters. If a machine uses volumetric dosing, changing products with different bulk densities can change the actual weight delivered. The filling quantity needs to be checked and recalibrated.
Changing bags creates another set of adjustments.
Different filling weights may require different bag lengths. A change in bag width may involve replacing the forming component, depending on the machine design.
If the packaging film changes, the sealing temperature and sealing quality should be checked again.
Cleaning is also part of the changeover. Sugar, seeds and other small particles can remain inside feeding and discharge components. Food manufacturers need to consider residue removal, especially when switching between products with different allergen requirements.
Which products should be tested?
If a factory plans to package soybeans, coffee beans and sesame seeds, testing only soybeans is not enough. The smaller seeds may expose feeding or leakage problems that do not appear with larger materials.
Prepare samples of each intended product, together with the required bag weight and dimensions. This allows the supplier to check whether the same equipment arrangement can be retained or whether additional parts are needed.
INNOV offers automatic granule packing machines with different configuration options.
For manufacturers packaging multiple granular products, providing the full product list before ordering helps determine how flexible the selected machine can be.
